Independent Standard-Setting Boards

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board sets high-quality international standards for auditing, assurance, and quality control that strengthen public confidence in the global profession.

The International Accounting Education Standards Board establishes standards, in the area of professional accounting education, that prescribe technical competence and professional skills, values, ethics, and attitudes.

The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board develops standards, guidance, and resources for use by public sector entities around the world for preparation of general purpose financial statements.

Sustainability

The importance of sustainability and corporate responsibility continue to gain recognition; indeed, organizations that embrace sustainability can enhance their reputation with stakeholders and their value. The intersection of business and sustainability has three key dimensions: economic viability, social well-being, and environmental responsibility. Accountants work in this area to help embed sustainability factors into an organization’s strategy and decision-making processes to achieve sustainable value creation. Read More

The report follows CPA Australia’s 2010 "Corporate Water Reporting: A Study of the Australian Food, Beverage and Tobacco Sector", and seeks to contrast the extent and quality of corporate water reporting examined at that time with current reporting practices, as examined in 2013 and 2014.

Enthusiasm in Australia for integrated reporting (IR) has been shrouded in concern about corporate and director liability. CPA Australia sought in a measured way to demystify these current circumstances, and in so doing provide the basis of a possibly more certain way forward.

This report is prepared as part of a global initiative headed by Professor Robert Eccles, Harvard Business School, draws out in detail the current and historical context of corporate law affecting these key areas of challenge.

The focus in 2014 has been to gain through case studies a far greater depth of understanding of how sustainability is shaping management practice and decision making, and who is involve, with particular emphasis on the individual organisations operating and strategic contexts.

As part of the Natural Capital Coalition's Natural Capital Protocol project, a stock take of existing natural capital relevant initiatives such as valuation methods and tools, applications, reporting and disclosure has been conducted.

Shows that sustainability-related developments are evident in capital investment appraisal practice. In particular, qualitative sustainability attributes are considered alongside the quantitative models and play a role in influencing decisions.